Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-14
asped Richard.

SourselfN' gasped Richard
Il mean returned Irene with pierre
ing glance, that this necklace is one of
the articles my poor murdered father had
with him when he was killed and robbed
in Georgia four years ago
'Pshaw' cried Richard at may re-
semble ii. but of course it cannot be the
same. Don't | know that il has always
been in our family, You are losing your
senses. Irene. ~
u am not mistaken was the agitated
reply. Il have handled this necklace too
often 10 be mistaken Why. here is the
private mark, placed there by my father
one day in my presence. | well reCOllect
that he said at the time that the mark
might some day aid in identifying the
necklace if it should ever be lost. II is
the same, and now, Richard Macon, how
came you by this precious hcirloom?'
''i our question is IN insult was the
hot answer. Give me the necklace"
Never. This matter must be ex-
planned | must know if your hands are
stained with my fathers blood -
''Confound it, said Richard, II never
even heard that Mr.. Murray was mur-
dered. Your talk is the maddest mystery
in the world 10 me-
said the girl sternly. He was murdered
and robbed in lonely place among the
mountains Of Georgia. He had with him
large sum of money and this jcwelry. \
poor devil was tried for the murder, fUuni
guilty and sent TO tho chain gang for life
The money and jewels were not found N,
him, and he always protested his innocence
perhaps he told the truth
You said your fathers name was Hen
derscn''
Yes. After his death a wealthy bach
elOr brother of my mother died and left
her large fortune on condition that she
should resume the family name of Muir
ray, and the condition was eXaCted of my
self. We accepted the terms, but when
foul murder is to be avenged Irene Muir
ray remembers that she is Irene Hender-
son -
Richard Macon looked dumbfounded.
Il swear he began
Il will not hear yoUr' exclaimed Irene, |
her eyes flashing fire. You began with +
a lie-yOu called the necklace an heirloom Z,
you will lie on to the end of tho chapter
if permit it, IL you have any statement
TO make explaining how the necklace
came into your possession, you may pro
ceci"
For moment Richard Macon looked /
like some wild animal at bay. Then. .
recUllectinG himself, he made "a profound .
bow and said:
Il shall leave you now Irene-you are
tn no mood 10 listen ~ reason. In the ,
morning you will laugh at your conduct |
Of tonight and will beg my pardon. | .
shall leave you here. An rcvoirr' and .
with mocking smile he kissed his hand
and walked rapidly away. leaving Irene
standing lik" n statue, with the necklace
clutched tightly in her hand
When morning came. just as the Cray
light was chasing the darkness away. a
pistol shot rang through the hotel There
was rushing To ard fro, and finally a
crowd Of servants and boarders stood in
Richard Macon's room. gazing upon the
dead body of the suicide us il lay stretched
upon the bed, with pistol firmly yrasped
in the right hand.
Richard Macon had taken his own life
II was not the fear of the law that i'm
pelled him 10 this rash step-he felt able
To hold his own against the world. But
40 knew that no deceit, however artful. ,
~ould clear him in the eyes of Irene Muir
ray, and death was n thousand tirres pref
,rable to life with the ever present sense
)f her losthins and confident suspicion of I
his guilt
The miserable man left sealed letter
Tor Irene Murray. II il was true recital ;
IF the facts Of the case. The proposition
If the convict Joe was stated and the
writer told low he yielded to temptation
how he induced the prisoner. by promis- I
ng him freedom, 10 disclose the hiding :
2lacs Of Hendcrson'S money and jewels,
md how. when he had asccrtained what
ie wanted, he had treacherously and !
DOLLY Shot the convict down like a dog,
md afterward made use Of the scoundrcrs I
hidden plunder. The letter was written |
With deyilishneSs coolness, but at the close
he writer expressed his undying affection
or Irene. and begged her to forgive his
folly and guilt.
The butterflies OF the social world at '
3agatelle could not fathom the mystery Of
dacon's suicide. They did not know the !
ontents Of his letter to Irene. and it was a
ot until Irene was happily married, a Il
Ouple Of years later. that any one knew :,
/. She told her husband al! about il one
ay, and he. for an answer, merely folded '
er in his arms and kissed her.-Wallace r
,. Reed iii Atlanta Constitution a